Tensions within the INDIA alliance surfaced as Congress hit back at Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for his recent comments on electronic voting machines (EVMs). The exchange highlights growing differences among alliance partners on the contentious issue of electoral reforms.
Responding to Abdullah’s remarks, Congress MP Manickam Tagore took to X (formerly Twitter) to question the J&K CM’s stance. “Why this approach to our partners after being CM?” Tagore asked, pointing out that concerns about EVMs were raised by parties like the Samajwadi Party, NCP, and Shiv Sena (UBT). He further clarified that the Congress Working Committee (CWC) resolution on the matter specifically addressed the Election Commission of India (ECI) and did not seek to undermine the alliance’s consensus.
The pushback came after Abdullah, in an interview with news agency, criticized Congress for questioning EVMs despite winning significant victories through the same system.
Tagore urged Abdullah to verify his facts before making such remarks, emphasizing that Congress’s concerns about EVMs were rooted in transparency and fairness, not electoral outcomes.
The debate over EVMs has been a polarizing issue within the INDIA alliance, with some members calling for a return to paper ballots, citing alleged vulnerabilities in the electronic system. Abdullah’s comments appear to have reignited a sensitive topic, raising questions about the unity of the opposition coalition.
As the alliance gears up for upcoming elections, such public disagreements underscore the challenges in maintaining a cohesive strategy while balancing differing perspectives among member parties.
